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How Acupuncture Could Help Treat Women's Health Issues

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For years, some Western medical professionals have been gradually incorporating more and more Eastern practices into treatment plans for their patients.

One of the more well-known practices adopted from ancient China — acupuncture — involves inserting thin needles into the skin at certain spots to stimulate healing. Studies on the benefits of acupuncture for treating women’s health issues have produced mixed results and sparked a controversy between experts as to whether acupuncture is an effective alternative to traditional treatment procedures.

In a 2017 study conducted by Guang’an Men Hospital and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, researchers concluded that acupuncture could benefit women with stress urinary incontinence — which occurs when the bladder leaks urine during physical activities such as coughing, lifting something or exercise. Over 500 women with stress urinary incontinence were randomly assigned to receive either electroacupuncture — acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation — or sham electroacupuncture — a version of the procedure without the electrical currents that was not expected to work.

More: Turns Out, Abdominal Hypopressive Technique Doesn't Stop Bladder Leaks

By the end of the study, women who had received the electroacupuncture experienced less urine leakage after six weeks when they underwent a stress test similar to the one they had undergone at the beginning of the study. While more research is necessary in order to examine the long-term effects of the treatment, the findings from this study indicate that acupuncture “may be a reasonable option to explore,” according to Dr. Josephine Briggs and David Shurtleff of the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

But in another 2017 study that examined acupuncture as a treatment for women with a certain type of infertility, the findings seem to suggest that acupuncture did not increase the women's chances of having a baby. Researchers at Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine in Harbin, China, assigned 1,000 women with polycystic ovary syndrome to one of four treatment groups. One group received acupuncture along with a fertility drug, another group received sham acupuncture and the fertility drug, the third group received acupuncture with a placebo drug, and the final group received sham acupuncture and a placebo drug. While 22 percent of the women gave birth during the three-years long study, acupuncture was not linked to an increase in the birth rate compared with the sham acupuncture treatment, whether it was given with or without the fertility drug.

More: 3 Tips for Managing an Irritable Bladder

"These studies shed new light on when and when not to consider using acupuncture," wrote Briggs and Shurtleff in an editorial accompanying the studies. Past research has shown that the benefits of acupuncture can be very subjective and specific to the patient due to the complex link between the body and mind. The editorial suggests that a person's belief that the treatment will work can deeply affect the physiological effects of acupuncture.

While the verdict is still out on just how effective the alternative practice of acupuncture is at treating women's health issues, many doctors of Eastern medicine insist that their services can help women reach optimal wellness.

More: What's Your ‘Peehavior’? It's Time We Discuss Bladder Health Openly

"Acupuncture beneficially affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the control center for all hormonal activity,” Nancy Rakela, an Eastern medicine doctor at Berkeley Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Clinic, tells HelloFlo. "It helps regulate our hormones, promote ovulation and keep our cycles regular."

Originally published on HelloFlo. A version of this article was originally published in July 2017.


How Psoriasis Affects Your Everyday Life

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Psoriasis is a skin condition in which skin cells build on each other and form dry patches that are often itchy. Nitika Chopra, a chronic illness advocate and talk show host, knows firsthand how the disease can impact life every single day.

Diagnosed at age 10 with a particularly debilitating case of psoriasis, which also included painful psoriatic arthritis, Chopra spent years learning to cope with her condition. All the parts of her life, from what she wears to how she eats to how she dates, are affected by the constant presence of her psoriasis. “You can imagine having your greatest wound or the thing that makes you feel most exposed or vulnerable out for everybody to see the moment they say hello to you,” she says.

However, in time, Chopra learned to manage her condition and became a passionate advocate for others struggling with chronic illness, so that they could learn to love and care for themselves exactly where they’re at. 

“Psoriasis has encouraged me to look at everybody with tremendous compassion,” she says. “Now, when I interact with people, I feel like I acknowledge and see them as the things that are probably hard and tender for them and also as the things that are great about them.”

One thing that helped her along the journey? A strong support system, which can be crucial when you’re dealing with a chronic condition like psoriasis. Chopra credits her friends and family for lifting her up and being there for her when she struggled.

Watch the video to learn more about Chopra’s experience with psoriasis.

This is a sponsored post. 

Women Reveal Their Favorite Sex Position, & It's Not What You Think

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At this point, it's no secret that for many people with vaginas, penetration alone is not enough to have an orgasm or even pleasurable sexual experience. While, fortunately, we're moving in the right direction in terms of acknowledging that all parties involve should enjoy themselves, what we consider "sex" (penis-in-vagina intercourse) is still very penis-centric. There's still the idea that if there happens to be clitoral stimulation, great! But that's a bonus more than an expected outcome.

That's why it's so helpful to have access to data about the positions that work best for people with vaginas. An example of this is a recent survey conducted by Superdrug Online Doctor involving nearly 1,000 participants across genders living in both the United States and Europe ranging in age from 18 to 74 in which people who identified as women were asked which sex positions they enjoyed the most along with other questions about what turns them on.

Turns out, the women surveyed said that cowgirl (woman on top) was their favorite position and was ranked in the top spot by 30 percent of participants. Next up were doggy-style (top pick for 21 percent), missionary (20 percent) and 69 (13 percent). 

More: The Problem With the "Best Sex Position for Female Orgasm" Articles

As far as the position that helps women reach orgasm fastest, cowgirl came out on top again and was also ranked as the position that makes women feel the sexiest.

And when it came to their preference for what helps them reach orgasm best (and fastest), sex toys were the clear winner, with nearly one-third of participants listing them above dirty talk, watching porn with a partner, anal sex and BDSM.

More: Why the Pleasure Gap Is a Gender-Equality Issue

Women reported feeling sexiest when they wore lingerie followed by when they engage in dirty talk with their partner, practice BDSM, do role-playing and incorporate spanking. 

So what does all of this mean? Pleasurable sex can mean a lot of different things to different people, but it's definitely time we look beyond just trying to squeeze out an orgasm from traditional penis-in-vagina, man-on-top missionary sex. There's a lot more out there that can make sex a better experience for everyone. 

John Krasinski & Emily Blunt Are Actually Hollywood's Funniest Couple

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When we think about soul mates, we usually think of romance and chemistry, but a sense of humor is just as big a part of the perfect match. When those sparks fly for a celebrity couple, everyone takes notice. We adore the banter of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, but we think one couple rules them all: John Krasinski and Emily Blunt.

The costars of the hit thriller A Quiet Place have been married for eight years and have two daughters, Hazel and Violet. While we already knew about John’s comedic timing from his role on The Office, Emily was a bit of a dark horse. The star of The Devil Wears Prada and Edge of Tomorrow is better known for her dramatic talent than being the class clown. But every comedy team needs a straight man to balance the eccentric, and Krasinski isn’t just with Blunt for her fragile beauty. She can hold her own and throw it right back. Together, they are like two perfectly fine elements that come together to form some new supercomedic element

These are just a few of our favorite moments. No doubt there will be plenty more to come.

More: 7 Things You Never Knew About Emily Blunt

When they talk about how they met

Blunt and Krasinski were introduced by a mutual friend when they were all eating in the same restaurant. Krasinski was dining with Justin Theroux, and Blunt was there with a friend she calls Gray. She told Seth Meyers it was a “lame” story, but Krasinski remembers it differently. He recalled his nerves to Ellen DeGeneres and said his thought was, “I think I’m gonna fall in love with her.” As he shook her hand, he said, he blurted out, “I like you.” True? Who cares, it's true to us!

When he admitted he was crazy for her before they even met...

Krasinski joked to Graham Norton that not only was he enamored of Blunt’s work before they met, he had “full stalker status.” The Office alum didn't say exactly how many times he’s seen The Devil Wears Prada but did say that it’s “give or take, 72.” Blunt even said he watches the movie with a critical eye, picking a favorite outfit out of the montage. He joked back that since he “couldn’t get Annie [Hathaway],” he settled for Blunt.

...But she wasn’t having any of it

In the same interview, Blunt pointed out that British people are “notoriously bad at taking compliments,” which was a sticky point for the new couple. When they started dating, Krasinski tried to tell her what a fan he was of her work, but she shut him down fast and — in an example they both gave — with passion.

More: Emily Blunt & John Krasinski Have a "Secret Love Language"

When they pranked Jimmy Kimmel

The Kimmels and the Blunt/Krasinskis live across the street from each other and have pranked each other for years at Christmastime: zombies in the landscaping, reindeer poop, a gift-wrapped house. But here, while Blunt was on the show promoting Into the Woods, the couple continued the tradition with an epic — and, as Blunt admitted, expensive — effort that played on all of Kimmel’s fears.

When a London customs agent threw shade at Krasinski

While Blunt was filming Mary Poppins in England, her husband visited her regularly. On one visit, he ran into a customs agent he could tell wasn’t feeling him. When Krasinski said he was visiting the country to see his wife, an actor who was filming there, and dropped her name, the customs agent didn’t believe it. “You? You married Emily Blunt?” the agent said before slamming the stamp into Krasinski’s passport.

When they wanted to have a double date with you

The Krunts (you’ll get it in just a moment) put a double date to the opening of A Quiet Place on the line for fundraising website Omaze. Their official video for the event was fine and all, but why limit ourselves to that when we could enjoy all the goodness of their ridiculous outtake reel? They alternately play it desperate, cool, weird, really weird, and... Krunt.

More: John Krasinski Is in Total "Awe" of Emily Blunt

When they met President Obama

They were attending the Kennedy Center Honors when, as Krasinski told it, someone popped out a door and asked if they wanted to meet "him," meaning President Obama. They got in line and behaved like two perfectly normal people meeting a national hero. No, not at all — they lost their minds. Let’s just let Krasinski demonstrate.


There are good reasons these two are topping our favorite couples list these days. We'll be keeping an eye on what they're up to and looking forward to their stories for a long time to come. 

Your Guide to Food Safety at Summer Picnics

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Summertime picnics are so much fun, right? You get to hang with your friends and family while putting together an awesome summer spread to nosh on while you're outdoors. Whether you're heading to a favorite park for a picnic, or hosting a BBQ in your backyard, it's essential to make sure you're following all the food-safety rules, because if you don't, someone can get sick.

Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you plant that summer shindig.

Food that sits out too long can make you sick

Dr. Arlene C. Seña, a physician and associate professor of medicine at the UNC School of Medicine, tells SheKnows that if cooked or uncooked foods are not stored under the proper conditions (such as in a cooler or refrigerator), they can become hosts to unwanted bacterial growth. This can lead to illness, including problems with vomiting and diarrhea, and can affect whoever consumes the foods that are left out too long.

"When these foods are already contaminated with bacteria and they are eaten without proper cooking or washing, people can get food-borne illnesses," she explains. 

More: Is Cooking with Aluminum Foil Toxic?

Foods need to be properly stored within one to two hours

Foods that are perishable must be refrigerated within two hours of setting it out, Seña says. However, if it's 90F or above, that time limit shortens to one hour. Ice-filled coolers can substitute for a refrigerator, which is handy if you're away from home. 

Some foods are riskier than others

While your chips and soda will be OK left outside in the heat, that's not true for a ton of your picnic favorites. "Any perishable food item (meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs) that are left out for too long can reach a temperature that allows bacteria to grow," Seña explains. Don't forget about items that are made with perishable ingredients, such as pasta salad. 

To keep track of your time (because we know that time really does fly when you're having a blast), she suggests making a note of the time (or even setting a timer on your phone) to keep track how long your items have been out. This way you know when it's time to put them back in cold holding. 

This goes for fresh fruits and veggies, too. "Fresh produce should be refrigerated within two hours of peeling or cutting," she says. "Leftover cut produce should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours."

Leaving food out isn't the only concern

Unfortunately, there are other ways food-borne illnesses can make an appearance at your summer BBQ. Problems with your food prep can cause problems, too. 

"Cross-contamination and not properly cooking meat and poultry can also lead to food-borne illnesses," Seña says. It can be easy to cross-contaminate ready-to-eat food items with raw meat or eggs if you use the same cutting board or forget to wash your hands after touching those items.

More: Annoying Summer Body Issues & How to Fix Them

Also, she notes that cooking to the correct internal temperature is vital. Make sure your meat, poultry and seafood are cooked to the correct internal temperature when you're preparing your specialties. This temperature can vary from 160F for ground meats to 145F for fresh steak to 165 for poultry items (see the federal recommended internal temp guidelines here). 

What to do if you get sick

Even if you think you're doing everything right, time can slip away, and your picnic food might start teeming with bacteria — and you won't know it until it's too late. Dr. Erik Mondrow, a physician and internal medicine expert practicing in Colorado, tells SheKnows what to look out for. "Symptoms can happen right away, or after days," he says. "Watch for belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea or fever."

While most people have immune systems that can deal with these sorts of illnesses within a few days, he explains that it's possible to experience dehydration, and some people (often the very young, the very old or those with weakened immune systems) can have a harder time dealing with the illness on their own. "Don’t wait to seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or if you can’t keep liquids down," he notes. 

So, bust out the picnic basket or invite all your friends and family over for a backyard BBQ, but make sure your food items are cooked and prepared properly — and stocked back into your fridge in an hour or two. Your intestines (and those of your guests) will thank you. 

George Clooney Was Briefly Hospitalized in Italy

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According to NBC News, George Clooney got into a scooter accident on Tuesday after being hit by a car on the island of Sardinia in Italy. The news outlet reports police and hospital officials said Clooney was injured and taken to a hospital in Olbia. A health official told NBC News Clooney’s injuries weren’t serious and he was quickly released from the hospital. 

More: George & Amal Clooney Used Their Checkbook to Make a Huge Statement

Carabinieri (the Italian police force) Lt. Alberto Cicognani told NBC News the Oscar-winning actor was on his scooter near the city of Olbia when a car reportedly cut in front of him, causing a collision. Cicognani also said an ambulance eventually took Clooney to the hospital, where he was reportedly given an MRI. Per Cicognani, Clooney was “not seriously injured.”

CNN also spoke with Cicognani, who said Clooney was hit by a Mercedes, which caused Clooney to be thrown over the top of his scooter. Cicognani told CNN he spoke with Clooney, who said he was fine and also revealed he would go back to filming Catch-22 in a few days.

Giovanni Mannoni, an Olbia police commander, told CNN Clooney would be monitored for 20 days as an outpatient by the hospital. CNN also reports Clooney’s MRI came back clear. Mannoni also informed CNN police are investigating the accident.

NBC News reporter Claudio Lavanga tweeted Tuesday, “Sardinia hospital ‘John Paul II’ in #olbia tells @NBCNews #georgeclooney has already been discharged following collision between the scooter he was traveling on and a car. #clooney is in Sardinia to direct a TV series called ‘Catch 22.’” 


More: George & Amal Clooney Might Be the Sweetest Theatergoers Ever

According to People magazine, Italian news outlet La Nuova reported Tuesday that Amal Clooney went to the hospital to be with her husband and they reportedly left together via a private car. La Nuova also reported Clooney complained of a “slight trauma to the pelvis and bruises to one leg and an arm,” but he didn’t sustain serious injuries and was discharged. A rep for Clooney issued a statement to People shortly after the accident made headlines: “George was treated and released from an Olbia hospital. He is recovering at home and will be fine.”

The accident sounds like it could’ve been more serious than it was, so it’s good to hear Clooney is doing OK.

Reese Witherspoon Is Walking in Oprah’s Footsteps With This New Venture

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We always knew Reese Witherspoon was a woman with big dreams and an enviable work hustle. Now, she is proving that with the announcement of her brand-new unscripted series, Shine On with Reese, and the brand-spankin'-new VOD channel it will air on, Hello Sunshine.

More: Then & Now: The Evolution of Reese Witherspoon

According to a press release, Shine On with Reese (premiering July 17) is a series that will highlight the stories of inspiring women like Dolly Parton, Pink and director Ava DuVernay among others. Some shows will also pair guests up by theme, so expect to see exciting team-ups, like poet Cleo Wade and former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth, Sprinkles founder Candace Nelson and Spanx founder Sara Blakely and life partners Glennon Doyle (author) and Abby Wambach (soccer player).

This new show is the first of two series that will appear on Witherspoon's newly announced VOD channel, Hello Sunshine. The Hollywood Reporter says Hello Sunshine will run on "channel 1112 on DirecTV and 1530 on U-verse. DirecTV Now subscribers will get their first three months for $10 a month. After three months, the channel will cost $35 a month" — so make sure you're all subscribed before Shine On premieres. Oh, and for those who are curious, the second series prepped and ready to launch on Sept. 4 is called Master the Mess with organization experts Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin. The duo will delve into the homes of families with organization tips and, most important, humor.

More: Reese Witherspoon Is Here for Pink's Clapback at a Twitter Troll — & We Are Too

The question now is: When does Witherspoon sleep? She's taking her new Southern living book Whiskey in a Teacup on a cross-country book tour to spread “the gospel of Southern living,” in Witherspoon's words. She’s also starring in the second season of Big Little Lies  (set to premiere in 2019), and she's starring in an Apple TV series alongside Jennifer Aniston. And we can't forget that she’s also hard at work on Draper James, her clothing line, and she’s juggling mom duties too. Come to think of it, maybe Witherspoon needs to be featured in her own show about inspiring women!

Roseanne Barr Plans to Interview Herself to Explain 'What Happened & Why'

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In a bewildering yet oh-so-intriguing turn of events, Roseanne Barr has come up with her own plan to rehabilitate her public image and attempt to get back into everyone's good graces. Barr has announced on her Twitter account that she is planning to interview herself about her motivations to post the racist tweet that ultimately led to her getting fired from the Roseanne reboot by ABC execs.

More: This Is What We Know About the Roseanne Spinoff & How The Internet Feels About It

Barr made the announcement on Monday night using her social media platform of choice, Twitter, to tell the world that interviews with other people feel too stressful for her and her fans. Instead, she'd rather interview herself, promising to post the finished interview to her YouTube channel later in the week. 



The news came quickly on the heels of a tweet in which Barr said she was doing a TV interview sometime this week. She did not reveal which outlet she’d chosen for the interview but thanked her fans for being her support during her ordeal. About 30 minutes later, she posted again to show off a new look for her hair, choosing not to comment with updates on the interview plans.

The only interview she’s given since the scandal broke was with a friend, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, according to ABC News. During that, she took responsibility for her tweet, saying she understood why it caused so much pain and it made her sick to think that she had done that. But she also commented that she’ll never stop her strong, controversial statements.

"When ABC hired me, they asked me to get off Twitter, 'cause I’m always saying things, right?" Barr recalled. "And I told them, 'I promise I will get off Twitter.' They said 'cause you’ll shoot yourself in the foot if you’re on there, and my kids took it away from me, and the whole thing 'cause they said, 'Mom, you have to stop.'" 

Barr ended her statement with an adamant admission: "I cannot [stop]. If I were to do that, I would rather be dead. I can’t do that. So if [ABC wanted] to hire me, [they needed to] know that. I will never stop."

After the Roseanne spinoff, The Connors, was announced in June, Barr said in a statement to ABC News, "I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from Roseanne. I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved.”

More: Roseanne Barr Claims She Isn’t Racist, Just "an Idiot" in Tearful Podcast

The star has been so vocal about her remorse over the offensive comment she made that it feels a little strange that she won’t agree to do a real interview. Frankly, this whole new idea just sounds like an expressive meditation session with Barr digging into just the parts of her story that she wants viewers to hear. Stay tuned. We may see it; we may not.


This Nashville Star Already Has a New TV Role

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One of the toughest parts of acting has to be the lack of job security. Even if you’re starring in a hit series, every project has to end sometime, and there’s no guarantee a new job will be waiting for you in the wings. So, we have to imagine that Nashville’s Charles Esten has to be thrilled with the new job he’s got after Nashville ends for good in later this month.

More: Hayden Panettiere’s New Diagnosis Mirrors Her Nashville Character

According to Deadline, Esten will have a starring role on TNT's Tell Me Your Secrets, a new thriller currently filming and starring Amy Brenneman, Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater. Esten will play Saul Barlow, the husband of Brenneman’s character, who is coping with his daughter's sudden disappearance as best he can by giving up materialistic possessions, further impacting his marriage.

Esten was thrilled to be able to announce the news on Twitter on Monday.


As for the show's other characters, Rabe will play a "young woman who once looked into the eyes of a dangerous killer" while Linklater is playing "a former predator desperate to find redemption" and Brenneman is a mother grieving the disappearance of her daughter and refusing to give up the search.  

At the upfront presentation in New York in May, one of the executive producers of the show said the series is “quite reflective of society today," reported TV Insider. "It’s no longer famous people putting their lives out there, it’s everyone. We’re all creating facades. You’re left wondering what’s the real truth behind Instagram? The real truth behind Facebook?"

More: 17 Unanswered Questions From the Nashville Series Finale

Nashville has provided Esten with good practice for delving into complex emotions and trauma. His character, Deacon, has faced hardship after hardship across six seasons, a challenge that he says he found rewarding. Speaking to Variety, the actor said the response he’s received from viewers is one of the things he will miss the most as the show winds down. 

"Storylines are not just storylines if you do them well. They are part of people’s lives so it’s almost incumbent on you to do them as well as you can. There are people who are in recovery; there are people who are fighting cancer; there are people who just lost the one person in their life they could never imagine living without."

It sounds like Esten has had the perfect preparation for this new series, and fans will be thrilled to see him continuing to attack meaty material. No release date has been announced yet for Tell Me Your Secrets, but if Esten is already on set, there's a good chance it's filming now. Keep an eye out.

7-Eleven's Slurpee Day Includes Snacks This Year

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Every year on July 11 (7/11, get it?) 7-Eleven has a celebration during which free Slurpees are given out to anyone who desires a frozen treat. So, like, all of us, right?

This year, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on July 11, they're doling out free small Slurpees and featuring their new Cap'n Crunch Berries Slurpee (though if the thought of that makes you want to vom, you can get any of their other flavors for free too).

More: 7 Slurpee Flavors 7-Eleven Should Create Immediately

They'll also be selling Big Bite hot dogs for just $1 on both July 11 and July 18 (National Hot Dog Day). There's nothing better than washing down a salty convenience store hot dog with a frozen sip of sugary Slurpee! It's like a nearly free wine and cheese pairing for those of us who will always be 15 at heart.

To extend the celebration, this year 7-Eleven will also be offering a week of discounts in honor of their 91st anniversary. They're calling it "7 Deals in 7 Days." Those who download the 7-Eleven app and become a 7Rewards member can buy one snack and get another free deal, including things like a free Big Gulp when you buy a Snickers, free popcorn with your Smartwater and free Coke with your Cheez-Its. The deals maximize your snacking pleasure, giving you something craveable to munch on and a drink to wash it down with all in one go.

More: Why I Went All the Way to Taiwan to Visit 7-Eleven

Slurpee Day is coming at the perfect time this year, as most of the country has experienced at least one intense heat wave so far this summer, and there's more super-hot weather in sight. When the temps creep into the 90s, water just won't cut it — you need the icy brain-freezing goodness of a Slurpee to truly cool down.

Tyra Banks’ Life-Size 2 Costar Announced, & It’s Not Lindsay Lohan

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After lots of promises that Lindsay Lohan would be starring opposite her in Life-Size 2, Tyra Banks announced today that the costar role is actually going to someone else. Banks broke the news on Instagram by revealing that Francia Raisa, currently starring on Freeform's hit show Grownish, will be appearing in the sequel to the popular TV movie.

More: Tyra Banks: Life-Size Sequel Will Have A Modern Twist

“Now filming: LIFE SIZE 2. It’s time y’all! You’ve waited long enough. I’m so excited to announce who will co-star with Eve 2.0...the magnificently fierce @franciaraisa. See you on @freeform this holiday season! #LifeSize2#ShineBrightShineFar” wrote Banks alongside an adorable pic of her and Raisa hugging.


Raisa also took to social media with the photos to express her excitement over being involved with a fond memory from childhood.

Entertainment Tonight has the whole record of comments Banks made that led fans to believe Lohan would be reprising her role. In August 2017 Banks told ET that she was in talks with Lohan, “I’ve been hitting up Miss Lindsay Lohan in her DMs, like, ‘You in, boo?’ and I think she is excited to come back.” When asked if Lohan was officially signed onto the project she replied, “I think she did.”

More: Tyra Banks Seems Deeply Affected By Her Feud With Naomi Campbell

Banks also told Steve Harvey again in April 2018 that Lohan was in for the film. “Lindsay Lohan will…be in Life-Size 2, yes. Yes, I really really want her to. We’re talking about it right now and she has got to come back!”

But Lohan wasn’t so sure. When ET talked to her in December 2017 she told them “We’ve spoken, but not enough. Maybe when I’m here [in the U.S.] I can talk to her about it.”

Banks has been working on the sequel to this doll-come-to-life story for some time. In January 2014 she told Digital Spy that she had a meeting that day to go over the script. The official announcement about the movie didn’t come until 2017 though when Banks told TV Guide that this new version may be a bit spicier. “This new Life-Size is not going to be the Life-Size that you had back in the day. It's really going to be Eve growing up and Eve experiencing very adult things because it's on Freeform. It's not on Disney anymore, so that should let you know.”

More: Tyra Banks Shares Rare Photo of Her Miracle Baby Boy

Though fans would have been thrilled to see Lohan reprise her role, Raisa is a great choice for the job. Fans know her from projects like The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Dear White People. She’s been playing the role of Yara Shahidi’s roommate on Grownish throughout 2018.

The synopsis of the Life-Size sequel says Raisa will play Grace Manning, the CEO of the toy company started by her mother that manufactured the Eve doll. She’s also having a quarter-life crisis and her wild side is causing the company stock to nosedive. Other cast members announced include Gavin Stenhouse as a potential love interest, Shanica Knowles, Hank Chen, and Alison Fernandez.

Look for Life Size 2 hitting screens during Freeform’s Christmas programming in December 2018.

Kourtney Kardashian Shuts Down Troll Who Mom-Shamed Her Bikini Photo

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Of all the Kardashian-Jenners, Kourtney Kardashian seems most likely to be mom-shamed. When she’s not being criticized for kissing her children on the lips or giving her daughter a lip ring, she’s being shamed for not tweezing her son’s eyebrows. The latest shaming, in which someone suggested Kardashian was more interested in showing off her bikini body than her motherly duties, is nothing new. But instead of ignoring the hate, this time, Kardashian clapped back.

On Sunday, Kardashian Instagrammed a picture from her vacation in Portofino, Italy. The photo featured Kardashian in a bikini eating a piece of focaccia bread while hanging out on a yacht. It didn’t take long for mom-shamers to flood Kardashian’s comments with accusations that she was too busy ‘gramming her bikini to know where her kids were.


More: 10 Ridiculous Reasons Kourtney & Kim Kardashian Were Mommy-Shamed

However, instead of letting the comments roll off her shoulders, Kardashian clapped back. In a response to someone who asked, “Where are your kids,” Kardashian let the mom-shamer know that her three children — Mason, 8; Penelope, 6; and Reign, 3 — were all within arm’s reach. In typical Kardashian fashion, she also sarcastically thanked the shamer for her “concern.”

“My son was taking the photo, and the other two were sitting at a table across from me. Thank you so much for your concern,” Kardashian responded.


More: 10 Celebrity Moms Who Shut Down Mommy-Shamers

Mom-shaming for celebs and non-celebs alike needs to stop; just ask Victoria Beckham, who caught flak for taking her 19-year-old son as her date, or Jessica Biel, who was shamed for allowing her 3-year-old son to grow out his hair. Fortunately, Kardashian was here to let the shamers know that their attitude won’t be tolerated — and that she isn’t a mom to be messed with.


Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Princess Charlotte Just Stole the Show as Usual

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The royal family has been especially busy of late. First, there was the christening of Prince William and Duchess Catherine's third child, Prince Louis, where the baby's older siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, stole the show as always with their ridiculous charm (and a pinch of royal sass). 

MoreThe Queen Decrees That Princess Charlotte Is The "Boss" of Brother George

Upon arrival at the christening, Princess Charlotte and Prince George greeted the gathered clergy like pros. Check out little Charlotte's perfectly proper handshaking and eye contact:


Twitter was charmed by the family, especially Charlotte:



More: Princess Charlotte & Prince George Are Scene-Stealers in Poland

Lest you think royal tots are pure perfection, though, allow us to share with you a peek of Charlotte a bit later in the day exiting her little brother's baptism for a private afternoon tea with her family. She had a stern message for the photographers assembled outside the Royal Chapel at St. James's Palace: "You're not coming." Oh, yes, she did. The priceless moment was caught by the ITN network. There's quite a bit of background noise, but if you listen closely, you'll hear the young princess's remark to the media around the 11-second mark. Cheeky monkey!


On Tuesday, George and Charlotte enjoyed the 100th birthday celebration of the Royal Air Force — which included a stunning flypast over Buckingham Palace. The queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as well as other members of the family watched the aircraft from the balcony, while Princess Charlotte and Prince George could be seen peering through palace windows with their nanny. Princess Charlotte could also be seen, ahem, sticking out her tiny royal tongue at the crowds. We admit it, we are rather enjoying Charlotte's decidedly un-princesslike antics, though we can imagine her parents sharing a late-night face-palm over their feisty middle child.


We can't wait to see video (please let there be video!) from Prince George's upcoming birthday celebrations. The young prince turns 5 on July 22, and we're pretty sure his sister will make sure she's not overlooked on her big brother's big day. Let's hope.

Your Veggies May Contain Parasites — Check Your Fridge for These Recalled Items

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We're always trying to add more veggies to our diet, but it seems like every time we do, we're thwarted by news of yet another outbreak. Usually, we find ourselves cowering in fear of being contaminated by E. coli, listeria or salmonella, but this time, it's parasites that we need to watch out for. Yeah, parasites.

Del Monte is recalling several sizes of its clear plastic veggie trays containing precut vegetables and dip, a party staple and something we often grab at the store if we're need of a healthy snack on the go.

The veggie platters had an expiration date of June 17, so hopefully, no one still has them on hand, but many people who ate them are just now realizing their symptoms are because of the Cyclospora parasite — more than 200 people have gotten sick so far, and seven have been hospitalized.

More: Creature Peeks Out of Tuna Can, Terrifying Woman

Cyclospora is a parasite that's usually associated with fecal matter, and when it comes into contact with food, those who consume it can get an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis. It causes watery diarrhea, explosive bowel movements and gastrointestinal stress. Some reward for trying to eat more veggies, eh?

The veggies in question were sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond's, Sentry, Potash, Meehan's, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket and Peapod. Several Del Monte products have been recalled as a result of the outbreak, including:

  • 6-ounce Del Monte Fresh Produce vegetable tray with a UPC code of 7 1752472715 2
  • 12-ounce Del Monte Fresh Produce vegetable tray with a UPC code of 7 1752472518 9
  • 28-ounce Del Monte Fresh Produce small vegetable tray with a UPC code of 7 1752478604 3

If you still have one of the trays lingering in your fridge, throw it out right away, and if you think you've experience any of the symptoms associated with cyclosporiasis, head to a doctor to get checked out.

More: Scary News About the Health Risks of Eating Sushi

Oh, yeah, and we're not saying that vegetables are bad for you... but maybe don't feel so guilty the next time you reach for a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos instead of baby carrots. We're pretty sure almost no living thing could survive in those long enough to pass an infection to humans.

Skip the Gym: 5 Cardio Workouts You Can Do at Home

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You don't need a gym membership or a walking-friendly neighborhood to improve your heart health and master your metabolism. While there's no way around the fact that working out is hard, it doesn't have to be hard to fit it into your life. Turn your living room into your exercise studio and quell your excuses.

Unless you absolutely love the gym atmosphere, there's no rule that says you have to spend an hour on a treadmill to improve your cardiovascular fitness. Save your money and work out at home with these five effective home-based cardio workouts.

More: 6 Ways to Stay Healthy in the Summer Heat

1. Dance

With some killer tunes, you can dance your way to heart health. The beauty of dance is that there's no dress code, no skill requirement and no special equipment needed. Simply put on your favorite playlist and jam out! 

Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes every time you plan a sweat session, but don't hesitate to go longer. Chances are you'll be having so much fun you won't even realize when 30 minutes has come and gone.

2. Cardio kickboxing

Kickboxing is an excellent form of cardiovascular fitness that also improves strength and flexibility as you squat, lunge, punch and kick your way to health. With the advent of the internet, you can even score free classes from popular YouTube channels.

3. High intensity interval training

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the fastest ways to see improvements in cardiovascular fitness. The concept is that you alternate between high and low periods of intensity for the entire course of your workout. This achieves two things: 1) It forces your heart and lungs to work harder during the high intensity bursts, ultimately enhancing your heart and lungs' ability to pump blood through your body and 2) it keeps your heart rate pumping fast, even during rest periods, which increases your total workout calorie burn. The best part is that you can actually achieve more in a shorter workout because of the physiologic benefits that HIIT training provides.

Try this 30-minute routine:
  • 0:00-5:00: Warm up for five minutes by performing varied dynamic exercises, such as walking in place, running in place, jumping jacks, walking lunges and knee push-ups.
  • 5:01-6:00: Run in place as fast as you can.
  • 6:01-7:00: Do half squats.
  • 7:01-8:00: Perform jumping jacks as fast as you can.
  • 8:01-9:00: Do alternating half lunges.
  • 9:01-10:00: Jump rope as fast as you can, or pretend to jump rope if you don't have a rope.
  • 10:01-11:00: Walk in place at a steady pace.
  • 11:01-12:00: Do full squats as fast as you can with good form.
  • 12:01-13:00: March in place with high knees at a steady pace.
  • 13:01-14:00: Do full alternating lunges as fast as you can with good form.
  • 14:01-15:00: Slide laterally back and forth at a steady pace.
  • 15:01-25:00: Repeat minutes 5:00 through 15:00.
  • 25:01-30:00: Cool down by marching and then walking in place.

More: 5 Ways Massages Can Really Help Your Workouts

4. Jump rope

Jump rope is right up there with running in terms of tough cardiovascular workouts — you have to physically propel your entire body weight up and off the ground repeatedly. While jump rope might not be appropriate for those with bad knees or ankles, it's a great way to break a sweat without leaving the comfort of your home. 

Because jump rope is incredibly hard, especially when you're just getting started, treat it as a HIIT routine. Jump for 30 seconds straight, then rest for 15 to 30 seconds before jumping again. Keep at it for a minimum of 15 minutes, then round out your workout by doing walking lunges or other heart-pumping strength exercises. As you improve, lengthen your intervals so that you're performing 60 or 90 seconds of jumping, alternating with 30 seconds of rest.

5. Slide boarding

Granted, slide boarding does require special equipment, but a $200 slide board is a lot less expensive than a $1,000 treadmill. Plus, slide boarding forces you to slide laterally back and forth across the board, as if you were speed skating, which works your hips and thighs in a way that helps balance your lower body and improve total core strength. 

Think about it: Most of your day is spent walking, running or otherwise moving in a forward-backward manner. This neglects the muscle groups that enhance side-to-side motion. Slide boarding provides a fun and easy way to perform cardio at home while strengthening and toning otherwise neglected muscle groups.

Laura Williams is a fitness expert and personal trainer. In 2010, she finished her master’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. In 2014, she received her health fitness specialist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. She is now a writer, entrepreneur and the "Sporty Girl CEO" of Girls Gone Sporty

A version of this article was originally published in January 2014.


Cheryl Burke’s Family Just Grew & the Story Is Amazing

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Cheryl Burke has been through an emotional roller-coaster lately. First she lost her beloved father in March of 2018, and then she met her real-life biological sister for the first time ever. Burke shared a selfie on social media of her and her sister Ina smiling together. The family resemblance is remarkable.

More: Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence Are Too Cute In Their Engagement Announcement

“With my father's passing came a lot of darkness but there was also a lot of light - I found my sister who I had never known. We recently met for the first time and it was such a surreal experience to walk into a room to meet and walk out feeling like we had known each other forever. In her I see the same drive and passion that our dad had and there’s clearly a major family resemblance. It may have taken 30 years to find each other, but I am so excited to have another sister for life ??” the Dancing With the Stars alum captioned the photo.

Burke told People that she knew of her sister’s existence but the two had never been in contact. Her father met Ina’s mother shortly after separating from Burke’s mother, and Ina quickly came along. “My dad always told me I had a sister…then I was a little caught off guard. It wasn’t jealousy, but I wished I was the only one, you know, that daddy-daughter feel.” Burke does also have two other siblings, a half-sister named Nicole and a stepsister named Mandy.

More: Cheryl Burke Reveals Tragic Childhood Secret

Following their father’s death, Ina reached out to Burke in a text, which kicked off a text and phone conversation that lasted several months. “My dad would be so happy. He really would be,” the dance star said. But it was a little tough for her to make that move to meet. She told People, “With this business, at least for me, comes trust issues. Is she reaching out to me for something that she may need. We didn’t know each other. I didn’t know if she was actually my sister.” But when the two came face to face she said it “was like looking in a mirror. Like the freckles. We definitely look like our father.”

Burke took her father’s death hard. She posted an emotional tribute on social media, with a throwback pic of the two hugging when she was a child. “Dad, if I had one more chance to have you here with me today, I would do things differently. Every day I would tell you how much I love you. I miss you so much already.” 

More: This DWTS Star Is Publicly Grieving The Death Of Her Father

She previously revealed that she struggled with her relationship with her father – they were estranged for nearly a decade, until he was in an accident. During an appearance on Bethenny Frankel’s show she said. “I just wanted to make sure that everything in my life was okay, and I felt like there was that void in my life… [I]t was really important for me just to reach out to my dad. Just for me and to like, have some closure if anything really were to happen.”

Now she has a reminder of him every time she sees the ring that her boyfriend, Matthew Lawrence, used to propose in May. It’s the diamond that her father used when he proposed to her mother. 

After the heartache of losing her father, we’re thrilled that Burke has not only the ring but now this happy reunion to celebrate. Here’s to many more great memories to be made.

US Says Breast Isn't Best, Angers Moms & Docs Alike

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News that the United States refused to sign — and also reportedly aggressively pressured other countries to back down on — a United Nations-affiliated resolution in support of breastfeeding is making shockwaves across the globe.

In a time when “breast is best” and "fed is best" discourses seem to be warring, the news that the U.S. took a staunchly anti-breastfeeding stance comes as a surprise to many, including global partners who have worked with President Obama’s administration and others to promote breastfeeding in years past.

More: The Benefits of Breastfeeding — for You, Not Just the Baby

The pro-breastfeeding resolution, proposed at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, was originally supported by many countries. But the U.S. claimed the resolution stigmatized mothers who formula-fed their babies; the U.S. constituents bullied the other countries in attendance, including nearly a dozen from Africa and Latin America, to rescind their support for the measure. An official from the Department of Health and Human Services, too afraid to share their identity, told The New York Times that “the resolution as originally drafted placed unnecessary hurdles for mothers seeking to provide nutrition to their children. We recognize not all women are able to breast-feed for a variety of reasons. These women should have the choice and access to alternatives for the health of their babies, and not be stigmatized for the ways in which they are able to do so.” 

Of course, no one wants to downplay the value and importance of formula as a viable breast milk alternative for infant nutrition. The problem, though, is that the U.S. officials' decision wasn't guided by altruism so much as cronyism: The U.S. is one of the largest producers of baby formula in the world, with billions of dollars a year in revenue and a global valuation of more than $66 billion expected by 2027 according to Future Market Insights. Many believe the Trump administration’s position is entirely due to its allegiance to the U.S. food lobby.

The only thing more appalling than aligning with lobby dollars over medical expertise (and global alliance) is the way in which the U.S. appeared to handle the whole situation. Multiple eyewitnesses reported that reps from the U.S. essentially blackmailed global partners, including threatening to revoke U.S. military and other support for countries such as Ecuador.

More: I Know What It's Like to Be Separated From Your Child

Personally, I'm certainly not in the "breast is everything" camp — far from it. In fact, I've felt firsthand the shame of not being able to successfully breastfeed — and the sense of being a "failure" because I turned to formula. "Fed is best," and that's the truth. But even we formula-feeding moms cannot and should not agree with any thinking that puts bottom lines above the well-being of our babies — particularly those whose parents cannot afford formula, who are living in areas with compromised water quality or who may just need a little bit of guidance to get breastfeeding off the ground.

"We cannot allow the U.S. to bully countries to suit their own commercial interests, nor can we allow them to undermine breastfeeding. The health and survival of our children is at stake," nurse practitioner and international board-certified lactation consultant Julie Bouchet-Horwitz of the New York Milk Bank told SheKnows. "The public knows that breast milk is healthier than artificial baby milk. The high initiation rate of breastfeeding in the U.S. confirms that women want to breastfeed," Bouchet-Horwitz continued.

A comprehensive study out of Ohio State University supports the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation that breast milk is the healthiest form of nutrition for babies during the first six months of life, and it also provides important antibodies to help fight infections well beyond the baby years.

"In the face of clear evidence which shows that breastfeeding provides the most optimal health opportunities for mother's and babies alike, it is devastating that this administration would come out against the language proposal to 'protect, promote and support breast-feeding' as the healthiest way to feed their infants," certified lactation consultant Jada Shapiro told SheKnows. "Breastfeeding is the most fundamental and simplest way to improve infant and maternal health and to literally save women's and babies' lives. While formula absolutely has its place, in many places around the world, this means using compromised water, which often leads to diarrhea, other illness and death in infants."

More: I Thought I Was Immune to Breastfeeding Drama — I Was Wrong

Indeed, there is good reason to question the U.S.' emphatic promotion of formula (aside from the Mafia-esque tactics the Trump administration employed in a diplomatic setting on a global stage). In fact, according to a report put out earlier this year by the Changing Markets Foundation, formula companies were found to be marketing aggressively and inconsistently and to be making unproven claims (such as the idea that their products could cure constipation or were "as healthy as mother's milk").

This is certainly not the first time our current president has sided with profits over people. Still, of all the things Trump has rejected, I never would have guessed the breast would be one of them. Yet here we are.

There Might Be a New Suspect in the Making a Murderer Case

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There's been an important new development in the case at the center of the Netflix documentary Making a Murderer. On Monday, Rolling Stone reported that Stephen Avery's lawyer, Kathleen Zellner, filed a massive document filed with new claims of allegedly suppressed evidence that could not only prove Avery and his nephew's, Brendan Dassey, innocence but also point to another strong possibly suspect, too. 

More: Making a Murderer Subject Brendan Dassey Just Got Dealt Another Major Blow

According to Rolling Stone, Zellner submitted a 599-page filing that "asks that the Wisconsin Circuit Court in Manitowoc County allow her to supplement Avery’s current appeal with previously suppressed evidence," namely a "CD-ROM containing 2,449 pages of data downloaded from the Dassey family’s laptop computer." Zellner claims in this filing that the CD-ROM is the key to exonerating both men and actually gives credible evidence to support the claim that Dassey's older brother, Bobby Dassey, is also a likely suspect and proves that his testimony can be proven false (Bobby is a key witness in this case). Additionally, the filing "includes 30 exhibits, including the CD itself, as well as printouts of some of its most disturbing content: images of violent pornography depicting women being tortured and violated that Zellner says were largely accessed at times when only [Bobby] was home."

The judge reportedly has 60 days to hold any proceedings relevant to legitimizing this filing and moving forward with it in hand as it pertains to the case. Appellate attorney Erica Suter, who has followed this case, weighed in to Rolling Stone on the impact this new filing could have. 

"If [the] court finds that the laptop CD was withheld by the prosecution and contains material evidence, Avery should get a new trial for sure. The impact of its omission is a potential tipping point for Avery’s case, as well as Brendan Dassey’s," she explains, going on to underline the seriousness of Zellner's actions, specifically in overturning the Brady violation, wherein Avery was denied due process by the prosecution, that is at the heart of this trial.

"Zellner is bootstrapping as much as she can onto the failure to turn over CD. This is understandable because she’s arguing that it changes the context in which other Bobby Dassey-related evidence can be viewed. You’re normally arguing Brady in the context of the evidence the jury heard, but she also goes beyond the record to argue what could have been done differently had this info been known at the proper time. Some of her arguments and exhibits really go beyond what the court can consider, but she is painting a picture, or poisoning the well, as we sometimes say."

More: Stephen Avery Prepares for Court Again After Legal Team Reveals the 'Real' Murderer

This development comes on the heels of Dassey's recently getting denied for his case to be heard in the Supreme Court, which makes the possibility of Dassey (and Avery) being exonerated all the more intriguing to those who've believed neither man was culpable for the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach.

18 Online Cooking Classes for the Busy Budding Chef

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Raise your hand if you've been dying to take cooking classes, but you find yourself way too busy to actually attend IRL. Us, too — but enter online cooking classes. Many of them are free and perfect for people who need to learn new skills without leaving the house.

Here are 18 of the best cooking classes out there.

More: I Tried Cooking Like Bobby Flay for a Week

1. Gordon Ramsay's Masterclass

Chef and Hell's Kitchen star Gordon Ramsay takes you into his kitchen and guides you through 20 exclusive video lessons. ($90/class or $180 for an All-Access Pass at Masterclass)

2. Udemy classes

Udemy offers 65,000 online courses, including plenty of food-related and culinary courses. For instance, you can learn how to make craft beer at home, take a healthy living with "no oil" recipes course or learn how to make quick and easy Asian meals. (Prices vary at Udemy)

3. Top Chef University

This interactive course is created by professional chefs and taught by 11 former Top Chef contestants. The app gives you access to 28 hand-picked lesson videos with more than three hours of instruction. ($19.99 for all lessons at Top Chef University)

4. The Kitchn's Cooking School

The Kitchn's Cooking School is a 20-day, 20-lesson program where students tackle an essential cooking topic each day. You'll even have homework! (Free to join at The Kitchn)

5. Food Techniques

BBC has a nice selection of cooking videos for people with a variety of skill levels. Don't know how to cut an onion? There's a class for that. But there are also classes on advanced techniques. (Free at BBC)

6. Chef2Chef Cooking Basics Class

If you do better with text than videos, check out the Cooking Basics lessons, with two bonus advanced cooking techniques courses. (Free at Chef2Chef)

7. Cooking with The New York Times

One of America's most popular newspapers, The New York Times, has an online cooking school with video lessons. (Free at The New York Times)

8. Gluten-Free Baking Academy

This bake-it-at-home course offers 18 video lessons and six start-to-finish baking videos organized into four weekly modules. You'll get the tools, recipes and know-how to bake right in your own kitchen. (Prices vary at Gluten-Free Baking Academy)

9. Dinner Tonight

Texas A&M has a variety of classes to teach students to make quick and healthy dinners. (Free at Texas A&M)

More: How to Make Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers — No Grill Required

10. America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen classes are a lot like Good Eats without the silliness (unfortunately), but they're very detailed and teach you the perfect way to make anything as tested (sometimes several hundred times) by the America's Test Kitchen chefs. ($20/month or $180/year at America's Test Kitchen)

11. Allrecipes How-To Videos and Cooking School

Allrecipes has more than recipes. The site also has literally hundreds of free videos to teach basic cooking techniques as well as paid cooking school classes. ($7.50/month or $44.99/year at Allrecipes)

12. Kitchen Chemistry

Most people associate MIT with building those intense robots that rip each other apart in a ring, but MIT also posts online versions of real classes, including one called Kitchen Chemistry. (Free at MIT)

13. Delia Online Cookery School

Delia Online features a host of cooking technique articles of varying levels of difficulty. Each lesson has step-by-step instructions with photos. (Free at Delia Online)

14. Craftsy Cake Decorating and Food and Cooking Classes

Craftsy is an online learning site where students can buy classes in a variety of fun disciplines, including cake decorating and cooking classes. (Prices vary at Craftsy)

15. Rouxbe Cooking School

Rouxbe provides courses in which students get lessons and practice recipes, exercises and more to help them learn to cook. ($9.99/month or $99.99/year at Rouxbe)

16. Better Homes and Gardens How to Cook

Learn the basics in the cooking classes at Better Homes and Gardens(Free at Better Homes and Gardens)

17. Foodist Kitchen

Learn to cook in a month-long cooking boot camp. This is literally a class for beginners, starting with classes in developing the habit of cooking, keeping the kitchen stocked and grocery shopping. ($99 at Foodist Kitchen)

18. Healthy Baking Bootcamp (gluten-, soy-, dairy- and sugar-free)

If you have a food allergy but don't want to live life without your baked favorites, check out this healthy online cooking class. ($29 at Real Food for Life)

A version of this article was originally published in May 2015.

Breaking Up (With Your Therapist) Is Hard to Do — Here's How to Make It Easier

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Breakups can be intimidating. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, but let’s face it — sooner or later, we all have to terminate some type of relationship, whether it be with a significant other, an employee, a boss or even a doctor. While it might seem simple to tell your boss that you’ve found a new job, how do you tell your therapist that you’ve found someone else or that you just don’t think this professional relationship is working for you? 

If you’ve been hesitant to have this discussion with your therapist, fear not! There are several ways to politely end this type of relationship, and below are a few suggestions from experienced therapists.

Consider the issues

Before calling it quits with your therapist, consider why you’re not satisfied with the sessions. Are you not receiving sufficient feedback? Do you think you’re not making any progress? These are issues that should be explicitly discussed with your therapist. 

Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a licensed psychologist with her own practice in New York City, has received many calls from prospective clients who didn’t find much success with their other therapists. When she asks if they conveyed their dissatisfaction and discussed the particular issues with their therapists, they tend to say no, but Carmichael, along with other psychologists, believes that it’s vital to be open and honest with your therapist, even if that means discussing an issue that you have with him or her. 

“This is really rich clinical therapeutic material," Carmichael tells SheKnows. "I really encourage the client to talk about the issue with the therapist. A lot can be gained for the client. Therapy is supposed to be a place where you can talk about anything.” 

More: Instead of Helping, My Psychiatrist Made My Mental Health So Much Worse

On the other hand, if you don’t feel comfortable during your sessions and you don’t think you’re receiving the proper respect, then it might be OK to ghost your therapist or stop scheduling appointments without an explanation. 

“Rapport and respect are very important in therapy. If you don't feel that there's rapport or respect, or there's a lack of professionalism, you might not have any need to discuss it. It’s not always necessary,” Carmichael adds. 

You have the right to be selective

Although you might’ve formed a long-term relationship with your therapist, if you feel that you’ve reached a plateau or if you’d like to get another person’s opinion, you have every right to explore and experiment with other therapists. 

“It’s almost like dating. You have to feel it out and discuss the issues,” Dr. Shoshana Sperling, who has been practicing psychotherapy in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, for more than 15 years, tells SheKnows.

You also shouldn’t be concerned about hurting a therapist’s feelings — after all, you’re the one seeking help, and if you feel that you’re not receiving the help, then it’s your prerogative to find a new therapist. 

Dr. Bryant Williams, a practicing psychologist of more than 25 years with his own practice in New York City, tells SheKnows that he likes to advocate for the patient as a consumer. He provides the analogy of hiring an architect to work on your house — if you’re dissatisfied with the architect's work, then you find another architect. The same goes with hiring a therapist.  

“It’s important not to be concerned about hurting a therapist’s feelings because the patient is hiring the therapist to work with them,” he explains. 

Always be direct

While you might be seeking therapy for anxiety or fear of confrontation, you shouldn’t have to fear confronting your therapist about ending your sessions. All three therapists believe that in such a situation, it’s best to be honest and direct. 

“Honesty is important,” says Sperling. “Just explain, ’Thank you for helping me this year, but I'm going to seek someone else for a different approach.’”

“A new pair of eyes could be good,” she adds.

Williams agrees about being straightforward: Simply telling your therapist via email that you've "found someone who is a better fit" would work. “I’m OK if someone does that via email. I don’t take offense to it,” he says.

It’s OK to take a break

Therapy can be a long commitment, but if you think that you can do without your frequent sessions, it’s OK to take a break and not feel guilty about it. 

In fact, therapists love to hear their patients are doing well and are feeling confident in themselves without the the sessions. 

Carmichael informs her patients from the start that she regards the discontinuing of or reduction in the number of sessions as a success. 

More: My Anxiety Got Me Fired From 5 Jobs

“If [the patients] feel that they have accomplished their goals and they don’t need to continue coming to therapy, then it’s totally fine with me if we go down to booster sessions (once a month or 30 minute sessions). I actually really encourage that,” she explains. “I don’t regard it as breaking up. It’s a completion of the relationship. The client has completed his goals.”

Sperling also advocates for taking breaks if you’re feeling better. 

“Talk to your therapist and say, ‘I feel better. I feel I have learned the strategies and tools to be more independent,'” she recommends. “Maybe just keep the lines of communication open if you want to come back for a refresher — maybe six months to a year. It’s a positive experience. I would be happy that the person reached that awareness,” she notes. 

So in the end, the focus needs to be on you. Whether it’s taking a break or seeking help from another therapist, you must do what’s in your best interests. Don’t be afraid to end the relationship if it’s not working well. 

“I wouldn’t call it breaking it up — I would call it addressing issues for a good fit,” Carmichael adds.

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